Paladin of the Death Domain

The Death Domain Paladin walks the shadowed path between life and death, serving as an arbiter of fate and a champion of balance. Bound to a deity or cosmic force that governs death—such as the Raven Queen or Kelemvor—they understand the inevitability of mortality and seek to enforce the natural order.

While others may fear the finality of death, the Death Domain Paladin embraces it, standing as a guardian against those who defy it. They are relentless foes of undead creatures, necromancers, and any who twist the sanctity of life for their own gain. Where others see death as an end, these paladins see it as the beginning of a sacred journey.

As a Death Domain Paladin, you carry the weight of fate on your shoulders, wielding the power of necrotic energy to destroy your enemies while offering peace to those in need. Though the role often isolates these paladins, they find solace in the knowledge that their grim duty protects the balance of existence.

Tenets of the Death Domain: The tenets of the Death Domain guide paladins who take up this somber oath:

• Respect Death: Death is a natural part of existence; to deny it is to deny the essence of life itself.
• Protect the Balance: Undeath, soul manipulation, and other perversions of the cycle are abominations that must be eradicated.
• Accept Fate: Your death is inevitable—embrace it, and do not fear your destiny.
• Bring Peace: Offer solace to the dying and aid in guiding souls to their rightful place.

Level 3: Domain Spells

The magic of your oath ensures you always have certain spells ready; when you reach a Paladin level specified in the Death Domain Spells table, you thereafter always have the listed spells prepared.

Death Domain Spells

Paladin Level	Spells
3	False Life, Inflict Wounds
5	Gentle Repose, Spiritual Weapon
9	Spirit Guardians, Bestow Curse
13	Blight, Phantasmal Killer
17	Contagion, Flame Strike

Level 3: Channel Divinity: Touch of Death.

When you hit a creature with a melee weapon attack, you can use your Channel Divinity to deal extra necrotic damage equal to your level + your Charisma modifier.

Level 7: Aura of Mortality.

Starting at 7th level, creatures within 10 feet of you cannot regain hit points. Undead creatures within this aura have disadvantage on saving throws against your paladin spells and Channel Divinity effects.

Level 15: Blessing of the Grave.

When a creature within 30 feet of you dies, you can use your reaction to gain temporary hit points equal to your Charisma modifier + your paladin level.

Level 20: Avatar of Death

At 20th level, you can use your action to become an avatar of death for 1 minute. While transformed:

• Necrotic damage you deal bypasses resistance and immunity.
• Creatures within 30 feet have disadvantage on death saving throws.
• You can cast Finger of Death once during this transformation without expending a spell slot. Once you use this feature, you can’t use it again until you finish a long rest.